LVGI celebrates first year successes When DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis visited Jacobsburg Environmental Center in July last year, he left knowing that he had a model for demonstrating how DCNR can holistically assist a region with its conservation and recreation needs. This strategic approach to applying DCNR resources—both time and money—has morphed into a full-fledged initiative in Northampton and Lehigh counties that is celebrating its first year of successes. After a year, the now-dubbed Lehigh Valley Greenways Initiative (LVGI) has a focused approach, local partner buy-in and support and project development. Using DCNR resources, the LVGI strives to coordinate partners whose aim it is to save critical natural landscapes—conservation greenways—and heritage areas, while providing design and planning strategies for local planning efforts. The concept is to coordinate regional conservation work among the grass roots and community organizations, working strategically with DCNR and other state agencies, local municipalities, and non-profits to advance the work. Diane Kripas, DCNR’s recreation and conservation supervisor who is a member of the DCNR group helping to pull this effort together, says the first-year successes are the product of a team approach to moving ideas from planning to real action and locally based results. “We started with strong local partners like the Bushkill Stream Conservancy who clearly demonstrated the need for greater involvement by DCNR to implement recently completed plans,” Kripas said. “Our first year focused on identifying, educating, and engaging key DCNR staff and listening to our local partners on the needs of this rapidly developing region. “We built a solid team of resources to help advance projects in this two-county region. Our second year will focus on project development and involving other state agencies in these activities. While we still have lots to learn, the LVGI is ready to serve as a model for DCNR to use when initiating other regional projects,” Kripas added. A core focus of the LVGI is the connectivity of regional greenways for recreational, educational, interpretative, or environmental purposes. Implementation of the Two Rivers Area Greenway Plan is recognized as a high priority to all partners involved, and is being locally coordinated by the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. As of August 2005, the plan has been adopted by 8 of the 17 municipalities in the region covering about 80 percent of the major land area in the watershed. These municipalities include: Bushkill, Forks, Palmer, Moore, Plainfield, and Williams townships, the City of Easton, and Wilson Borough. Grant funding totaling $200,000 is being used to support seven projects. One project, being coordinated by the Bushkill Stream Conservancy and Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, is a Birding Trail Map and Interpretive Guide for the Bushkill Creek Watershed area. Other projects include: riparian buffer restoration along the Bushkill Creek; renovations to the John Joseph Henry House (centerpiece of the Jacobsburg Historic District); implementation of the Sober’s Run Coldwater Plan; and a Bushkill Creek Trail Master Plan to create a continuous trail from the City of Easton to Jacobsburg Environmental Center and then linking to the Blue Mountain (Kittatinny Ridge). LVGI partners have identified 17 parcels in the region that are critical to maintaining land connections. The first land acquisition is expected this fall. The initiative recently got a boost with the hiring of a resource conservation specialist to help coordinate the on-the-ground work within the communities and among the partners. Sherry Acevedo, former rails specialist for the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, will help local partners with project development, secure project funding, and provide overall leadership and coordination of local activities, education and outreach. Forming project teams comprised of public and nonpublic partners focused on acquisition, natural resource stewardship, community outreach, and recreational trail development to maximize the partnership and strategically advance local projects will be a top priority, says Acevedo. Kripas credits much of the regional efforts successes so far to the DCNR team located in that region: Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center staff Dale Prinkey and Bill Sweeney, who are working to ensure environmental education messages and outdoor recreation opportunities are enhanced and coordinated. Jacobsburg is viewed as DCNR’s central coordinating hub for the LVGI; Jamie Leary, service forester, who provides private forest land stewardship and will assist with the City of Easton’s shade tree needs and streetscapes; Dennis Demara, regional recreation and park advisor, who works directly with communities in that region to identify and implement projects using DCNR grant funding. Additionally, DCNR, geologists, biologists, engineers, and marketing specialists will be tapped to assist the planning team and the communities in their respective roles. For more information on the LVGI, contact Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center at (610) 746-2801.		September 27, 2005 Top Stories Ideas sought for tourism/recreation in Pine Creek Valley More state forest roads opened for deer hunting seasons LVGI celebrates first year successes Legislators form Ryerson task force Volunteers heed Gov. Rendell’s call, pitch in on National Public Lands Day More News... 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